Ryan to Seek Speakership if Unity Among House GOP

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressman Paul Ryan says the clock is ticking. He says his GOP colleagues have until Friday to come together and embrace him as their consensus candidate for speaker of the House or his offer is off the table.

Hardline Republicans, like the Freedom Caucus, have forced out current speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur) and the man who wanted to be his replacement, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Freedom Caucus member Scott Perry of Pennsylvania says Ryan has to campaign for the position.

Ryan says he thinks the country “is in desperate need of leadership.”

The Wisconsin Republican, who was reluctant to seek a job he never wanted, spoke to GOP lawmakers behind closed doors Tuesday evening.

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